Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s hard to believe that we have already finished the first half of the school year. Despite  significant illness across the school community, we have managed to fit in a huge amount of learning and fun from Kinder to Year 6.

Parent Teacher Interviews
Thank you to all the parents who were able to come into school and meet with their child’s teacher this week. These meetings provide a wonderful opportunity for parents, students and teachers to discuss and celebrate effort and progress in learning as well as goal-setting for next semester. It has been incredibly powerful to receive so many affirmations from our families about our teachers who provide engaging learning programs and opportunities. The staff are very appreciative of the support you give to them and the partnership that they have in working with you to build the wonderful community of St Mary’s. 

Beanie Day 
Yesterday's Beanie and Mufti Day was a great way to celebrate the end of Term 2.  Most of us were keen to keep our beanies on during our afternoon assembly under the COLA. Thank you for supporting us with gold coin donations. We raised over $500 for Brain Cancer Research. What an amazing effort!

Carroll College Variety Night
Last week, our School Choir shared their talents at the Carroll College Variety Night.  Thank you to parents for bringing your children out on such a cold night. Our School Choir of 56 students from Kinder to Year 6 sang two songs beautifully and gave us some insight into the music of our upcoming musical Peter Pan. Congratulations children. 

Staffing
Mrs Sue Heffernan will be taking leave for the first 6 weeks of Term 3. Mr Justin Bateman has been appointed Acting Assistant Principal and Mrs Jessie White as Acting Coordinator for that period. Both Justin and Jessie will continue teaching  their current classes so there will be little disruption to learning. 

Additional Pupil Free Days In Term 3
The Director Mr Ross Fox has recently approved two additional Pupil Free days in Term 3. Staff absences during Term Two and projected absences in Term 3 means there has been considerable loss of planning time and Professional Learning.  Monday August 22 and Friday September 23 (Last day of Term 3) are the dates selected as Pupil Free by St Mary’s, St Bernard’s and Carroll College. 

Term 3
Term 3 is undoubtedly going to be very busy at St Mary’s. NAIDOC Week, Book Week, Yuin Banaan, Southern Region and Archdiocesan Athletics, Fathers Day, Peter Pan Musical and the Sacrament of First Eucharist, will require a lot of extra work from the staff and cooperation of the students. These days are always very special for the St Mary’s community.

A reminder that students  return to school on Tuesday July 19. On Monday July 18, staff will be in Canberra participating in Professional Learning with Dr Lorraine Hammond, as part of our High Impact Teaching Practices (HITP) program. Later that week Dr Lorraine Hammond will be at St Mary’s working alongside teachers to further improve pedagogical practices across Literacy and Numeracy.

I hope your children have a happy and restful break from school. They are very tired. Hopefully by the time school re-opens, the amount of illness in the community has subsided and the sun has returned.

Wishing you God's blessings on your families.

Noeleen O'Neill
Principal